Motor-vehicle running-gear.



PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

' 0. SCHMIDT. I MOTOR VEHICLE RUNNING GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, 1904.

To (ZZZ whom/ it may concern.-

rfm TED sTA Es PATENT OFFICE."

CHARLES SCHMIDT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN-,- ASSIGNOR TO PACKARD MOTOR OA COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

ONIOTOR -VEHI QLE RUNNING-GEAR.

Nasser-17.

Be it known that I, OHARLEs SCHMIDT, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of Detroit, -Wayne county, State of Michigan, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Motor-Vehicle Runhing-Gear, of which fication.

automobile running-gear the rear or vlng-axle reacts upon the gearing which turns it, tending to rotate said gearing about the axle, or, in other words, the driving-gear which operates upon the diflerential gear of the driving-axle tends to revolve bodily about the rear axle. To revent this action, the casing or frame in w oh the gearing is mounted must be connected with the main frame of the running-gear, and on account of the relative movement between the frame and'the axle this connection must be through some yielding medium.

The present invention relates to the part cular form of connection between the driving-gear case and the main frame whereby the gear-case is held in-proper relation to the rear axle.

The invention-will be described in detail in' connection with the accompanying drawings, in which V Figure 1 is, a side elevation of so muchof an automobile as is necessary to illustrate the invention, parts being shown in section. Fig.

2 is a bottom plan view of the cushioning- 'sprin and Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

Re erring to the drawings, 1 indicates the main frame, 2 the rear axle; 3, the gear-case in which the speedchanging and reverse gears are contained, and 4 the driving-shaft which transmits power from the motor to the gears. As usual, adjustable braces 5 connect the framel with the rear axle to prevent for-y ward and backward movement of the axle relative to the mainframe and to transmit the propelling power of the axle to the frame.

' To prevent the gear-case from climbing? or rotating about the rear axle, it'is' provided with an arm. 6, projecting forwardly and Con; nected with the main frame by means of a suitable spring. It is desirable that this sprmg. should. be flexible vertically and s ould be adapted to permit a slight/longitudinal and lateral movement of the arm 6' relative to the frame to avoid a too rigid con- Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 5, 1904. Serial No. 2s1.571.'

the following is a speci-.

I struction, which might strain the machine on f rough roads. To permit of' this range of movement, theouter end of the arm is piv-- Patented Jul 3,1906.

otally connected with the middle of a semielliptical spring 7, depending from the malnframe and extending longitudinally of the vehicle. As shown,the ends 8 of the sprin .are arranged to slide in-guides 9, connecte with cross-bars: 10 of the frame 1. These guides are slightly Wider than the spring ends tov allow a small lateral movement to the arm, which takes place when one rear Wheel mounts a higher obstacle than the other. Any other suitable sliding-connection between the spring 7 and the main frame may be substituted.

It will be observed that the sliding connection between the spring 7 and the main frame permits the arm- 6 to rise and fall slightlyand also permits it to move slightlylongitudinally and laterally. The rising and falling movement of the armis limited by the rigidity of the spring, while its longitudlnal movement is limited by the braces 5, of

which there is one at-each' side of the ma chine. The arm 6 is necessarily arranged between the drivin -wheels and "approximately at the middfie of the machine.

suitable manner.

Having described my invention, what claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat 'ent, is i 1; In a with the rear axle and the gear-case arranged at the rear axle, of the main frame, a semielliptical spring depending from said main 8 0 It is connected rigidly with the gear-case in any motor-vehicle, the combination frame and arranged longitudinally'of the vehicle, and a forwardly-extending arm rigidly connected with said gear-case and having its free end connected with said spring, for the purpose set forth.

- 2. Ina m0torvehicle, the combination with the rear axle and the gear-case arranged at the rear axle, of themain frame,a semi-elliptical spring depending from said main frame and arranged longitudinally of the vehicle and having sliding connections therewith, and a forwardly-extending arm rigidly connected with vsaid gear-case and pivotally connected with said spring.

3.. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with the driving-axle, the gear-case arranged at-the driving-axle and an arm rigidly connected with sald gear-case, of a mam frame having transversemembers, a semi-elliptical.

spring arranged longitudinally ofthe vehicle and having its ends in sliding connection With said members, and a pivotal joint between said semi-elliptical spring and said arm.

4. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with the rear axle, the gear-case and the arm rigidly connected to said gear-case and extending forward therefrom, of the mainframe, braces connecting the rear axle with the main frame, a semi-elliptical spring arranged longitudinally of the vehicle and having its ends in sliding connection with the main frame, .anda pivotal joint between said arm and said spring, for the purpose set forth,

5. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with the rear axle and the gear-case, of the main frame, a semi-elliptical spring arranged longitudinally of the Vehicle depending from said main frame and connected therewith with freedom tomo ve laterally and longitudinally, and an arm rigidly connected with said gear-case and extendingforwardly therefrom and having its forward end connected with said spring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.(IIIARLES SCHMIDT.

Vitncsses:

JNO. J. RAMSEY, RUSSELL HUFF. 

